mitchpee 10 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Funny, I was at Kiroro the 17th too pretttttttty good I must say Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I wanna go there!! & I love that story about the Kyoto couple Mike! Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Ace. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 DAY 6 : MONDAY 21 MARCH 2011 I'd visited today's destination - NOBORIBETSU SUN LAIVA - a few summers ago on one of my exploratory excursions around the Shiribetsu region of Hokkaido. The small ski area of three lifts and seven runs looked promising in green, and after almost three years I got a chance to see it in white. The 200km round trip took me from Rusutsu through Toyako Spa on Lake Toya and then over the mountains down towards Noboribetsu. A beautiful drive on a beautifully sunny day. Tucked into a fold in the range about 15km from Noboribetsu, Sun Laiva affords magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the ocean. On the ride up to the top of the ski area I was getting very excited about the untracked, steepish tree runs to the left and right of the pisted area. After admiring the scenery, I set off in to the trees. About 10cm of dry, light powder had fallen overnight and was sitting on a velvet base. But before I could enjoy it I heard a whistle in the distance behind me. Twenty years of team sports had conditioned me to 'play the whistle', I looked back over my shoulder and ducked back on to the piste to get my reprimand from the advancing patroller. If only all reprimands could be so civil and charming. In his better than my Japanses English he explained skiing off piste was not allowed at Sun Laiva. When asked why, he just smiled and shrugged. A real pity. Sun Laiva has got as much if not more to offer than similar small ski resorts like Moiwa and Chisenupuri. I proceeded to bomb the empty groomers, and each lap was greeted with a wave and a smile from the patroller. After about half a dozen laps I decided to hike to the peak above the top lift to get my tree skiing kicks. Open access and no reprimand leaving the ski area, the route up followed a ridge line and is part of a recognised hiking route to the summit of Raibadake (1,004 m) View from the summit of Raibadake (Sun Laiva base area in the foreground and Noboribetsu coastline in the background) View from the summit of Raibadake with plenty of inviting peaks I dropped in to well placed trees on a steepish, sheltered slope that held dry, boot top powder. Not bad for 15km from the ocean at the end of March. I jagged right until I came out at the top of the beginner lift. After packing up the car I drove down to the abandoned film set just outside of Noboribetsu used for a Japanese TV drama series. Ironically one of the very few examples of traditional Japanese architecture on Hokkaido Driving Route 2 back to Toyaka Spa the road wound its way through some awesome road side hits. Once this series of snow has passed through I think I'll go back for a second look. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Nice. Link to post Share on other sites
seemore 66 Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Cheers Mike Your such and adventurer and always give good reports. Seemore Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Nice to see some off-the-beaten-track places! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 DAY 7 : TUESDAY 22 MARCH 2011 Back to RUSUTSU with 15-20 cm of new overnight. The company who own Rusutsu used to own Steamboat, Colorado (hence the Steamboat restaurant at the bottom of the Isola lift) and the past couple of days has seen Colorado weather - snow at night and sunshine by day. Neither of the gondolas were running due to wind and/or lack of customers, but the efficient lift system got you to all that is good about Rusutsu. If it can't be deep, then superlight pow on velvet comes a very close second. Especially when wherever you looked there was plenty of untracked. Unfortunately this much snow hadn't fallen overnight The recent warm temperatures and sunshine has started to degrade the south facing terrain above West Mt. Spotted this glide crack on the way back to town. Anyone contemplating hitting Shiribetsu-dake should be careful. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Thanks for the report and photos Mike. Made it over to Rusutsu last week and had a blast! Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Great as always Mike, keep it coming! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 DAY 8 : WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH 2011 First day back at GRAND HIRAFU, NISEKO in over two years, and it was a cracker. And I even found people to ski with! On the way over from Rusutsu I drove through some of the heaviest snow I've seen, and was down to 5km at one stage. 20cm had fallen overnight and it was snowing most of the day, with the odd patch of bluebird. Made turns with local photographer Glen Claydon, fellow Welshman and longtime Niseko resident Owain (formerly of Dragon Lodge), and Ben Thorpe of UK based operator Japan Ski Experience. We made the short walk from the top of the gondola up to the start of Miharashi and continued to lap that all morning. Glen behind the camera setting up for the shot Ben getting on the pow train. All aboard! Glen smashing it in front of the camera Yours truly courtesy of Glen Claydon Had dinner at Niseko Pizza with Cezar and can recommend the new Genovese pizza with gorganzola cheese. Link to post Share on other sites
foreversnow 5 Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 AWESOME photo's Mike - I am sitting back in Oz Green with Envy . Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 28, 2011 Author Share Posted March 28, 2011 Thanks DAY 9 : THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2011 After such a good day yesterday it was back to GRAND HIRAFU, NISEKO for more of the same. Except today the peak was on the menu. Was hoping to meet up with Glen and Ben again, but our paths didn't cross all day. Which was also the theme for the day's skiing, untracked knee deep lines all day. Miharashi again, the north bowl off the peak, and the slopes just round from the cornice off the traverse from Gate 4. Yotei from Route 66 between Rusutsu and Makkari The view from Main St. Makkari North bowl of Annupuri (the mountain) Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Having fun Mike? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Really nice photos as always Mike. Like the metal flower! Link to post Share on other sites
mitchpee 10 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Originally Posted By: MikePow Originally Posted By: ippy i heard people giving a little bit of hype to kiroro as a kind of 'get away from the bogans' type place, while at niseko. But genuinely have no idea what the place is like. The pics seem to be just one part of it, whats the overall vibe of the place? how big is it? how is it usually january-february? etc etc. Mellow, quiet, lots of snow, to get the best go with someone who knows the resort. Or someone who has a snowmobile! Ippy if you tour at all go there on a sunny day and be blown away. Link to post Share on other sites
mitchpee 10 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Also, love every update Mike, nice work. Was at Kiroro today doing some touring should have dropped you a pm, but it was last minute. Glen is the man! Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I left Hirafu yesterday morning and these photos are increasing my withdrawal symptoms! Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Snow spray looks lush. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 DAY 10 : FRIDAY 25 MARCH 2011 After a couple of days in Hirafu it was time for a return to KIRORO. Glen, Ben and I were joined by Kiroro first timers Thom Heald, Liam Bartley and Tomoko. Mostly greybird and snow showers in the morning with boot top powder and stashes of deepness. Thom Heald enjoying his first turns in Kiroro Thom Heald earning his wings Tomoko nailing the grab Glen Claydon airing it Ben Thorpe laying arcs Link to post Share on other sites
PWL 0 Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Great stuff MikePow. Like I just said in another post, Niseko is on my radar for next time I visit Japan I think. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Fabulous. Link to post Share on other sites
TropicalPow 0 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Ben Thorpe, don't adjust your set, it's only the test pattern. Must win the pants of the season award. On you Ben. Great photos ,thanks MP, green with envey down her ein rain sodden Queensland. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 They are spectacular pants! Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 I need some pants like that. Great shots Mike. Keep on keep on having fun! Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts